Artificial Grass Buying Guide

Maybe you’ve been considering artificial grass for a while now, but weren’t sure which artificial turf
was best for you. No worries, I’ll cover everything you need to know about artificial grass. Trust me,
there’s an artificial grass out there to meet your needs. Let’s get started!

Whether you’re just starting your research into artificial grass or you're ready to make that big
purchase, this guide is here to help.

There are many types of artificial grass, and it can be difficult to navigate through them all. The
good news is most artificial grass is multi-use, but some are better in certain uses than
others. Depending on what your plan is for artificial grass, you can be looking at a wide range of
options. For reference, let’s take a quick look at our best-selling artificial turf:

Landscape Artificial Grass

There are plenty of reasons to choose landscape artificial grass.

To be honest though, the best reason is because it’s beautiful.

Let's face it - water can be expensive, and if you live in an area that experiences drought, it’s not
always readily available. Not only that, but constant lawn maintenance can be a drain when all
you want to do is enjoy your outdoor area. I say, spend less time caring for your lawn and more time
enjoying it!

This is where artificial grass comes in. It stays green all year round and requires very little
maintenance. That means no wasting water and no pushing lawnmowers during hot afternoons!
Aritifical grass is for enjoyment, simple as that.

What is Landscape Artificial Grass?

Landscape turf is a little different than other types of artificial grass. It has certain qualities
that make it perfect for your lawn.

Most fake grass for landscape will look like real grass blades. Manufacturers are working hard to
make artificial turf look and feel more realistic than ever before. Artificial grass mimics
real grasses found throughout the United States. For example, artificial grass that looks like bermuda
grass is popular on the West Coast.

Landscape artificial turf is also UV stable and often heat and frost resistant for high durability.
It’s made to last outdoors for a very long time! It’s also perforated for drainage and it tends to be
more dense and plush than other types of artificial turf. That means the turf won’t get soggy under
heavy rain.

Landscape artificial turf is also used indoors or outdoors. Usually, indoor artificial turf is
low-pile and not as realistically made. It can even come in different colors! This landscape turf is
temporary or installed on patios and is typically not used for entire lawns.

Pros of Landscape Artificial Grass:

Bug-be-Gone: You’ve got artificial grass covering your lawn. That means bugs will be a
thing of the past. Everybody wants fewer creepy-crawlies when enjoying their yard.

Maintenance Free: One of the best things about artificial grass is that you don’t have
to mow or water it. The heat-of-the-day labor is gone for good.

Forever Green: To keep your lawn green, you might end up using more water than your
city can afford to lose. No need to sweat a water shortage; this lawn is green without the
water.

Eco-Friendly: Artificial grass is made of recycled materials and has a measurable,
positive impact on the environment.

Cons of Landscape Artificial Grass:

Up-Front Expense: Buying and installing artificial grass can get expensive. You need
accessories and time to get the perfect lawn. We like to think it’s worth it though. You’ll
find in the long term, it’s actually cheaper!

Heat: When the heat rises, so does the temperature of your artificial turf grass. There
are turf fill products to help keep the
temperature down, but artificial grass is hotter to the touch than real grass.

Pet Turf

Pet turf is perfect for your four-legged furry friends to have fun in! Artificial grass for pets is
safe for animals and gives them a comfortable green space to roll around on.

Artificial grass for pets can range from grass that’s great for lawns to fake grass that's great for
balconies or indoor areas. Whether you’re looking for an artificial grass lawn or fake grass potty
area, there’s a pet turf for your needs.

Why Use Artificial Grass for Pets?

Using artificial grass for dogs and pets has several benefits over using the real stuff. Many of our
landscape turf rolls are made intentionally with a slight curl and flatter blades, making them more
pet-friendly. Your pup will love rolling around in a soft bed of fake grass without pricklies poking at
him. Our pet turf ensures that your backyard is a haven for your dog.

The best part? Fido can run around all he wants without tearing up your grass, tracking mud in the house or
catching fleas and ticks. Artificial grass is durable and less inviting for dogs to dig, not to mention
you won’t see the usual brown spots where he chooses to relieve himself. Also, you won’t have to
worry about watering grass or filling in holes of buried bones.

In fact, fake grass for dogs is quite the low-maintenance alternative to caring for a real lawn. With a
realistic, natural look and feel, pet turf helps you conserve water and save money on monthly
maintenance costs. Just think how much more time you’ll have to play fetch without all that mowing
and weeding!

Is Artificial Grass Safe for Pets?

Your pet’s happiness is one thing, but safety is the most important. With dog turf, you can let your dog
run free without worrying about what kind of trouble he could get into. In fact, most fake grass is
pet-friendly, and pet turf is definitely safe for pets. Here are a few features of fake grass for
dogs that ensure their safety:

Lead-free: No need to worry about your pet or kids being exposed to toxic metals. Dog turf
is a safe landscape option for your home. Increased lead exposure was a concern with synthetic
grass years ago, but today’s artificial turf contains no detectable traces of lead.

No need for fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides: A great feature about pet turf is that
it does not attract bugs, so you will not have to use insecticides and harmful chemicals on the
artificial grass. Especially if your dog likes to chew grass, using chemicals for regular lawn care
should be a concern. Synthetic grass requires no chemical use to keep the bugs away and the yard
looking great.

Bacteria-free play area: A concern with real grass is bacterial buildup in your dog’s
favorite bathroom spots. Eradicating bacteria that seeps into the soil can be difficult and unsafe
for pets or kids. A great thing about synthetic turf is that it has perforations to drain those
liquids. Our pet turf actually drains more than 30 inches of rain per hour per square yard!

Pros of Pet Turf:

Glowing green: Don’t worry about the sun or pet pee fading out your fake grass. Synthetic turf
is UV stable and durable through heat and frost. Enjoy green grass all year long!

Non-toxic: Relax knowing your pet is playing on safe turf – no lead, heavy metals or chemicals
found here!

Easy maintenance: No, you’re not getting out of picking up dog poop, but how does getting rid
of the lawnmower sound to you? Synthetic grass is incredibly easy to maintain. The turf rolls
themselves do the hard work for you by draining your pet’s liquids, reducing any worry of bacteria
buildup or faded spots on your lawn.

Indoor/outdoor installation: While Fido may love to play outside, he might not be psyched about
going out there to relieve himself during a thunderstorm. Give him an indoor turf to use for
emergencies!

Cons of Pet Turf:

The artificial turf will get warmer than natural grass in direct sunlight but can be cooled
with the use of a hose.

While you can install pet turf yourself, typically it’s best to hire a professional.

What is Putting Green Turf?

It’s different than standard turf because it’s less thick, or lower pile, than the type of artificial
grass on your lawn. Because its surface is thinner and the pile is tight, the golf ball is able to
roll and stop like it would on natural Bentgrass.

There are other qualities to putting green as well. If you’re not sure what face weight, pile hight
and stimp readings are, keep reading! It’ll help make your putting green decision even easier.

Putting green turf face weight: The face weight is the amount of material used per square
yard in your artificial grass. The higher the face weight, the tighter the turf pile, which creates
an ideal surface for putting. For putting green, the optimal face weight is between 40 and 60
ounces.

Indoor putting green or outdoor putting green: Most putting greens can be installed indoors
and outdoors, but it’s good to check to make sure. For example, indoor putting green might have
nylon fibers, which can fade in direct sunlight. You’ll definitely want to check if the turf is UV
stable to prevent fading.

Putting green turf stimp reading: A stimp reading tells you how fast the ball will roll on
putting green. The higher the stimp reading, the faster the ball will roll. Stimp readings can vary
depending on how putting green is installed, but most of the stimp readings on our putting green
turf is a 9 to 11.

Pros of Putting Green Turf:

Maintenance-free: One of the best things about artificial grass is that you don’t have to
mow or water it. All that labor is gone. You can just golf.

Forever green: When you think of golf, you think of rolling green hills. Our putting green
stays forever green just like you remember it.

Great practice: Perhaps most importantly, you get to practice your short game without
leaving your home.

Great fun: It’s also FUN! Teach your kids how to put, or just have some friends over.
Remember to have fun on your putting green.

Cons of Putting Green Turf:

Up-front expense: Buying putting green can have a steep upfront cost, but that also depends
on how much area you are dedicating to your golfing zone. Additionally, it lasts for years, so in
the long term, it pays for itself.

Heat: It can get hot out there, and unfortunately outdoor putting green can get a little
hot from the sun. Overall, artificial grass is hotter to the touch than real grass.

Indoor and Sports Turf

Not all turf needs to be outside. In fact, many gyms use turf to add a new element to their
workout!

Synthetic turf floors allow you to transform your workout area into a space where you can challenge
yourself in fun and varied ways. From strength training and conditioning to yoga and stretching,
you can reach your full potential in your workouts with a safe and resilient surface beneath you.

How to Use Sports Turf in Your Workout

Gym turf is a durable and long-lasting option that is perfect for pulling or pushing sleds, completing
your CrossFit WOD or performing HIIT workouts. While its sound-absorbing qualities make it perfect
for weight lifting and high-intensity work, the softness of the artificial grass provides an inviting space
for your yoga mat. Take advantage of the flat, cushioned surface for body-weight work and stretching.

Training for a 5k or warrior dash? Many runners practice speedwork on grass because of the lower impact.
If bad weather hits, take your workout inside while still getting the safety benefits of grass. Gym turf
products make a great surface for speed and agility training because they’re made to absorb impact, helping
to prevent athletic injuries.

Whether you work out at a health club or want to improve your home gym, this type of flooring can be
just the ticket you need to up your fitness game.

Playground Turf

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single kid in possession of a great jungle gym,
must be in want of a safe landing.”

Okay, so that’s not the actual quote, but it makes a good point. Kiddos at play, play hard. They
are more than happy to jump, and sometimes fall, from high places. What keeps them from getting
hurt?

Playground turf.

Playground turf is great for under playsets and jungle gyms. With the right padding
underneath, you or your kids won’t have to worry about the long drop to the ground.

What is Playground Turf?

Most fake grass for playgrounds looks like real grass blades. Manufacturers work hard to make
artificial grass look and feel more realistic than ever before.

Playground artificial grass often mimics real grasses found throughout the United States. If you have a
favorite grass, there’s probably a playground turf that matches it.

Playground turf is super UV stable and also heat and frost resistant. It typically has a higher
face weight and more durable fibers than other types of turf. It’s built for kids to play and tumble
around on it, so it can hold up to those summer afternoons. Both of these factors make playground
turf extremely durable for the playground.

Playground turf is usually made from polyethylene or polypropylene. This fiber can hold a lot of
wear and tear compared to other types of outdoor playground flooring.

Does Playground Turf Need Padding?

Unfortunately, the turf on its own will not give you a proper fall-height rating to keep your kids
safe. To keep kids safe, you’ll also need a padding under the turf. Fall height is the highest
point a child can safely stand on. If your playground flooring surface is fall-height rated for 7′,
that means the child can fall from 7′ without serious injury.

Playground turf fall-height ratings depend on thickness and underlayment. The thickness is measured
by adding the thickness of your lawn pad or play pad with the thickness of your playground turf.

It is important to note: These are the standard ratings, but playground flooring safety ratings vary by
product, so make sure to check out the specs on the specific product you are looking at to ensure it
will be safe.

2.1-3.1” → 5′ fall-height rating, great for most residential playgrounds

Pros of Playground Turf:

Bug-be-gone: You’ve got artificial grass covering your lawn. That means bugs will be a
thing of the past. Everybody wants fewer creepy-crawlies when enjoying their yard.

Maintenance-free: One of the best things about artificial grass is that you don’t have
to mow or water it. The heat-of-the-day labor is gone for good.

Safety: With play padding underneath, your playground turf doubles as a safety zone for
your kiddos.

Eco-friendly: Artificial grass is made of recycled materials and has a measurable,
positive impact on the environment.

Cons of Playground Turf:

Up-front expense: Buying and installing artificial grass can get expensive. You need
accessories and time to get the perfect lawn. We like to think it’s worth it though. You’ll
find in the long term, it’s actually cheaper!

Heat: When the heat rises, so does the temperature of your artificial turf grass. There
are fills to help keep the temperature down, but artificial grass is hotter to the touch than
real grass.